2005 Divine Savior Healthcare's Leadership Mission Retreat

A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY:
Finding Mission Treasures

The Divine Savior Healthcare Leadership Mission Retreat for 2005 provided a journey of discovery to several ports of call aimed at enlightening and inspiring participants by revealing the treasures of Divine Savior Healthcare's past, as well as the many paths that extend beyond the Portage community through the Salvatorian Sponsorship of the Sisters of the Divine Savior. The excursion was a celebration of awareness of Divine Savior Healthcare as part of a larger whole that touches the world with compassion and caring.

Twenty-six leaders, including the Administrative Council and Department Directors, participated in the opportunity to reflect, refresh, and refocus on the Mission that drives everyday staff management decisions and activities. The experience was a gift provided by Divine Savior Healthcare.

The day began with a "Bon Voyage" Brunch prepared by the Food Service Department. Comments from Michael Decker, President, and Marla Ruth, Director of Community Health and Education set the tone for the journey. A prayer for travelers led by S. Beverly Heitke, SDS Sponsorship Coordinator, concluded the preparatory time and everyone boarded the Badger Coach bus that would transport the group to Milwaukee for the day.

On the way to Milwaukee, three videos were shown to provide an orientation the Mission of the Sisters of the Divine Savior, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, St. Anne's Salvatorian Campus for the Elderly, and Hadley Terrace Apartments for Elderly. Puzzles and printed information on the Milwaukee SDS institutional ministries were distributed to all to help "digest" the video information.

The first Milwaukee institution to be seen was Hadley Terrace Apartments for Seniors at 3515 W. Hadley Street. As the bus slowly drove past this place in Milwaukee's Central City, some of the history of the original headquarters of the Sisters of the Divine Savior, St. Mary's Nursing Home, and Divine Savior Convent High School was shared.

The second place of Salvatorian interest was Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. Here, Ellen Bartel, President, and her Administrative Team welcomed the group. After a short informational presentation in the Quad, a tour of some parts of the High School and the Art Studio held the attention of DSH visitors, divided into three groups for ease in moving through the busy corridors of DSHA.

Next, Sisters Marion Etzel, Jeanette Clarke, and Carol Thresher, the Provincial Team, and some staff of the Provincial Offices welcomed the visitors to the Provincial Center of the Sisters of the Divine Savior. Following a relaxing pause with refreshments and informal conversation, Sister Carol Thresher gave an inspiring Power Point presentation on the Salvatorian mission and charism and Sister Marion Etzel, Team leader, spoke of the mission and some of the ministries of the Sisters of the Province and Congregation.

Then, it was time to again board the bus which took the group to St. Anne's Salvatorian Campus. Lynn Vogt, President, and her Department Directors welcomed the group warmly and gave tours of St. Anne's Home for the Elderly and the Salvatorian Sisters' Residence. Great joy was shared when Sisters who had previously served in Portage and some of the long-time Directors renewed friendships with conversation and hugs. At the conclusion of touring, everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner prepared by the skilled Food Service Department of St. Anne's.

The concluding event of the day was attendance at the OKLAHOMA! musical performance by the students at DSHA High School. The impressive talents of the students provided a delightful finale to a day of fun and inspiration.

The bus returned to Divine Savior Healthcare shortly before midnight with a group of happy and tired leaders. 

Evaluation of the experience was highly positive. As a mission inservice, it was rated "great!" and the leaders shared the experience in a number of creative ways with their departmental employees. Comments included:

• "The Mission of Divine Savior Healthcare is alive and at work. I especially appreciated the collaboration."

• "I really enjoyed the day. The Sisters are really special! Thank you so much!"

• Thank you for 'filling the cup'. It was wonderful."

• Outstanding experience; very moving and enlightening."

• "I enjoyed this day much more than I ever could have imagined. It said so much about our Mission!"

• "Inspirational!"